Nursery

Hours and Eligibility

When a child turns three they are entitled to 15 hours of childcare each week for term time (38 weeks). Some children are eligible for 30 hours if certain criteria are met.

To see if your child is eligible to receive 30 hours of government funded childcare please visit www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare

We ask that children attend the Nursery 5 days a week. 15-hour session times are either AM only (8:45am – 11:45pm) or PM Only (12:15pm – 3:15pm). If your child is attending for 30 hours, their session times are 8:45am-3:15pm.

Wrap-around childcare

The nursery also provides wrap-around childcare. This costs £3 for a morning session (7:45am – 8:45am) and £3 for an afternoon session (3:15pm – 4:30pm).

We will do all we can to meet your preference although this cannot be guaranteed.

Admissions

Parents are welcome to visit the Nursery for a tour. Please call the school office to arrange a convenient time.

Application forms for admittance are available from the school office and can be submitted after your child's second birthday. This can be returned via email or in person along with your child’s Birth Certificate and Baptismal Certificate if applicable. Once completed, your child's name will be placed in the Admissions file. Please notify us of any change of address or phone number, or if you no longer require a place.

The Nursery class has a maximum number of children it can accept. If there are more applications than there are places, the governors will follow an admission criteria which is:

Catholic siblings
Other Catholics
Non-Catholic siblings
Other Non-Catholics

.If your child comes to our nursery unit, he or she does not have to move on to the Reception class of St Anne's. Equally, attendance at our Nursery does not guarantee that he or she will be offered a place in the Reception class of St Anne's.

Early Years Curriculum

Nursery classes follow the Foundation Stage curriculum which is progressive, building on the skills and knowledge that your child already has. The approach to learning is through structured play-based activities which encourage the child to learn at their own pace and ability. It is enjoyable and challenging. Children see play as their 'work'. In Nursery, we ensure that play is purposeful and carefully planned objectives can be worked towards in a variety of learning situations which have the characteristics of play.

In accordance with government guidelines, the curriculum for the Foundation Stage is organised into three prime areas of learning and development: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language and Physical Development and four specific areas: Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design.

How to Help Your Child Settle into Nursery

Talk to your child about Nursery and tell them the things they will do.
Have a positive attitude yourself. Do not pass on any anxieties of your own.
Look at books about Nursery with your child.
Teach your child to use the toilet independently (sensible clothes will help here).

We hope that your child's year with us will provide a strong foundation for their future. Together, in partnership with you as parents, we can work towards giving them a positive start to their education enabling them to fulfil their potential.